Kentucky Congressman Speaks Out Against MFA

May 15, 2013
| Gail Cole

Share:

Representative Thomas Massie (R) of Kentucky is taking a strong stance against the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013. Earlier today, he released the following statement on various social media outlets: "Tonight after votes I'll be leading a special order speech against the Internet Sales Tax." His speech is expected to last thirty minutes.

According to United Liberty, a group blog that supports free markets and limited government, the "so-called 'Marketplace Fairness Act' legislation … would turn online retailers into tax collecting agents for 45 states and more than 9,600 jurisdictions." The blog states that MFA is "being pushed by mostly traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and tax-hungry state government…."

United Liberty also notes that most conservative groups are against MFA "because they correctly view it as a tax hike and a burdensome new regulation that could put small, mom-and-pop retailers out of business."

Proponents of Marketplace Fairness take a different stance. Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Tim Johnson (D-SD), who sponsored the bill, point out that it would give states the right to collect (or not collect) "sales and use taxes that are already owed under State law."

A number of big businesses--notably Amazon--are in favor of MFA. Even some small businesses support the measure. Yet Rep. Massie is not alone in his criticism of remote sales tax. EBay has taken a strong stance against it, as has the National Taxpayers Union.

Sales tax rates, rules, and regulations change frequently. Although we hope you'll find this information helpful, this blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal or tax advice.

Avalara Author

Gail Cole

Avalara AuthorGail Cole

Gail began researching and writing about sales tax in 2012 and has been fascinated with it ever since. She has a penchant for uncovering unusual tax facts, and endeavors to make complex sales tax laws more digestible for both experts and laypeople.